View source for Troon

{{about|the town in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                          = Scotland
| type                             = Town and [[sea port]]
| official_name                    = Troon
| gaelic_name                      = An Truthail<ref name=aaa>[http://www.gaelicplacenames.org/databasedetails.php?id=446 Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba ~ Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306041556/http://gaelicplacenames.org/databasedetails.php?id=446 |date=6 March 2016 }}. Gaelicplacenames.org. Retrieved 16 April 2015.</ref>
| scots_name                       = Truin<ref>[http://www.scotslanguage.com/books/view/1/823/Names%20in%20Scots%20-%20Places%20in%20Scotland Scots Language Centre: Scottish Place Names in Scots]. Scotslanguage.com (12 April 2015). Retrieved 16 April 2015.</ref>
| population                       = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Troon}}
| population_ref                   = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| os_grid_reference                = NS345255
| coordinates                      = {{coord|55.54|-4.66|display=inline,title}}
| map_type                         = Scotland
|community_scotland = Troon<ref>{{cite web |title=Troon Community Council Website |url=https://www.trooncommunitycouncil.co.uk/ |website = Troon Community Council |access-date=18 November 2022}}</ref> 
| unitary_scotland                 = [[South Ayrshire]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Ayrshire and Arran]]
| constituency_westminster         = [[Central Ayrshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Central Ayrshire]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Ayr]]
| post_town                        = Troon
| postcode_district                = KA10
| postcode_area                    = KA
| dial_code                        = 01292
| static_image                     = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 280
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 1/2/2
| image1                   = Troon skyline.jpg
| caption1                     = Troon skyline 
| image2                   = Seating Area at Troon Town Centre - geograph.org.uk - 4539038.jpg
| caption2                     = Town Centre 
| image3                   = South Ayrshire Council buildings, Troon.jpg
| caption3                     = [[Troon Town Hall]] 
| image4                   = Marr College, Troon, July 2024.jpg
| caption4                     = [[Marr College]]
| image5                   = Inner Harbour, Troon - geograph.org.uk - 5718458.jpg
| caption5                     = Troon Harbour 
}}
}}

'''Troon''' ([[Scottish Gaelic]]: ''An Truthail'') is a town and [[sea port]] in [[South Ayrshire]], situated on the west coast of [[Ayrshire]] in Scotland, about {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=off|spell=on}} north of [[Ayr]] and {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} northwest of [[Glasgow Prestwick Airport]]. Troon has a port with ferry and freight services, and a yacht [[marina]]. Up until January 2016, [[P&O Ferries|P&O]] operated a seasonal ferry service to [[Larne]]. In May 2006, a ferry service to [[Campbeltown]] was added, although this was withdrawn the following year. Since March 2024, [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] have operated a ferry service to [[Brodick]] on the [[Isle of Arran]].

In the 2001 census the population of Troon, not including the nearby village of [[Loans, South Ayrshire|Loans]] but including the Barassie area, was estimated at 14,766, a 4.77% increase on the 1991 estimate of 14,094.<ref>General Register Office for Scotland</ref> The population in 2024 is just over 15,000.

== Name ==
The name ''Troon'' is likely from a [[Brythonic languages|Brythonic]] or [[Pictish language|Pictish]] name cognate with [[Welsh language|Welsh]] {{lang|cy|trwyn}} ("nose, cape"). When [[Scottish Gaelic]] became the main language, it is possible that the Gaelic form {{lang|gd|An t-Sròn}} ({{IPA|gd|ənˠ̪ ˈt̪ʰɾɔːn|pron}}; "the nose") was used for the name Troon. Since the words ''sròn'' and ''trwyn'' are cognate, it could have been easily adapted from one language to the other.<ref name=aaa/> This is similar to the Gaelic name of Stranraer (''An t-Sròn Reamhar'', the fat nose), which lies further south on the coast.<ref>I.M. McIntosh, Old Troon, 1969</ref> However, it is not certain if ''An t-Sròn'' was the Gaelic name, as its usage cannot be traced back any further than Johnston's ''Place-names of Scotland'' (1932). It is more likely that a gaelicized respelling, such as ''An Trùn'', was used.<ref name=aaa/>

The name ''An Truthail'' was used by Gaelic speakers on nearby [[Arran Island]] up until the 20th century.<ref name=aaa/>

== History ==
===Early history===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Troon Harbour Act 1808
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act for the Improvement of the Harbour of Troon, situate on the West Coast of the County of Ayr.
| year                  = 1808
| citation              = [[48 Geo. 3]]. c. xlvii
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 27 May 1808
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo3/48/47/pdfs/ukla_18080047_en.pdf
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
In 1808, the [[William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland|3rd Duke of Portland]] added docks to the existing natural harbour on the north side of the headland, under powers granted by an [[act of Parliament (UK)|act of Parliament]], the 
'''{{visible anchor|Troon Harbour Act 1808}}''' ([[48 Geo. 3]]. c. xlvii).<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=42005 |num2=NS33SW 23 |desc=Troon Harbour}}</ref> The harbour opened in 1812 to serve the [[Kilmarnock and Troon Railway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/heritage-sites/heritage-detail/troon-harbour |title=Heritage Locations: Troon Harbour |website=National Transport Trust}}</ref> Later improvements increased the protection afforded by the headland with an artificial "ballast bank" made from the dumped ballast of incoming merchant ships. [[Troon Lifeboat Station]] opened at the harbour in 1871 on land donated by the Duke of Portland.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Life-boat |date=1872 |volume=8 |issue=83 |page=2 |title=Additional stations and new life-boats |url=https://lifeboatmagazinearchive.rnli.org/volume/08/83/additional-stations-and-new-life-boats}}</ref> 

Troon Harbour played a notable part in the development of the town for many years. It was home to the [[Ailsa Shipbuilding Company]], which constructed many vessels for worldwide customers but mainly small passenger and various merchant vessels. The fishing fleet from Ayr moved to Troon Harbour and a revitalisation of the abandoned section of the harbour started. An approach road was constructed to connect to a P&O terminal which operates a service to Ireland. The Seacat high speed ferry service briefly operated from Troon Harbour. It is now a fishing port, yachting marina, seasonal passenger ferry port and Ro-Ro ferry terminal for timber and containers. Shipbuilding at Troon Harbour ended in 2000.<ref>[http://www.ruleworks.co.uk/Ayrshire/troon-harbour.asp Visit Ayrshire and Arran: Troon Harbour and Marina]. Ruleworks.co.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2015.</ref>

===Economic growth===
[[File:Admiralty Chart No 1804 Troon Harbour, Published 1847.jpg|thumb|right|Nautical chart of Troon Harbour, 1847]]

From 1812 Troon was the terminus of the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway, a horse-drawn railway connecting it to the duke's coal mines around Kilmarnock. This was not licensed for passengers, a minor technicality evaded by weighing those wishing to travel and charging them freight rates. [[Troon railway station (1839-1892)|Troon (old) railway station]] was one of the first passenger stations in Scotland, formed in 1839 when the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway was upgraded to run [[steam locomotives]] as part of the [[Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway]]. The town is now served by [[Troon railway station]].

Troon is the birthplace of C. K. Marr, who left a fund to the people of Troon which was used to construct [[Marr College]], the town's secondary school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/MERC/page6.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208174633/http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/MERC/page6.html |archivedate=2007-02-08 |title=Marr Educational Resources Centre |website=South Ayrshire Council}}</ref>

The artist's impression and the theoretical master plan for Troon that the Duke of Portland had drawn up was almost on as grand a scale, relative to its size, as that of Edinburgh's New Town. The broad streets with a grid network and ample space for civic amenities created for a thriving community built around the industry of the harbour. Troon's prosperity allowed this confident plan to be proposed. The drawing shows two spires, the taller spire was of that proposed by Troon Parish Church. Although the new building was erected in 1895 the spire was never completed. To the right a smaller spire indicates Portland Street United Free Church, which sat behind where WH Smith is today.{{when|date=September 2024}}

[[File:Launch of Mona's Queen (V).JPG|thumb|right|Launch of [[MV Mona's Queen (1971)|MV ''Mona's Queen'']] at [[Ailsa Shipbuilding Company]]]]

The first railway in Scotland (Troon to Kilmarnock 1811) is clearly showing in the background. It was the [[Glasgow and South Western Railway]] in 1892 who altered this plan by building a loop to bring passengers closer to the beach and town. The park never came to pass but public spaces on the promenade, (where the bandstand was built), the ballast bank and Fullarton ground allow residents and visitors scope for leisure. The industrial units to the right of the harbour line towards Barassie were the gas works and slaughter house.

===Fullarton House===
{{main|Crosbie Castle and the Fullarton estate}}
[[File:Fullarton Estate, Troon - geograph.org.uk - 5291659.jpg|thumb|right|Fullarton House and surrounding estate]]

Fullarton House was built by William Fullarton of that ilk in 1745 and altered by his son, however it was demolished in 1966 by the council who had been unable to maintain the building after purchasing it in 1928. The entrance route had been changed by the Duke of Portland and the house design altered so that the back became the front, with grand views opened up of the Isle of Arran and Firth of Clyde.<ref name="millar80">Millar, A. H. (1885). ''The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire''. Glasgow : Grimsay Press. {{ISBN|1-84530-019-X}}. p. 80</ref> After centuries of occupation the Fullarton lines possession had thus come to an end when the 3rd Duke of Portland purchased the property in 1805. He lived here for a while as his principal residence in Scotland, however he had a greater interest in developing Troon harbour and the Kilmarnock and Troon Railway.

The grounds are now a park with some signs of the old house still apparent, such as the magnificent stable block, the ornamental pediments, walled gardens, doocot and an ice house.<ref name="love225"/> [[Reed Loch]] was located near Lochgreen House and was used latterly as a curling pond.

====The Fullarton family====
{{main|Crosbie Castle and the Fullarton estate}}

The name is thought to come from the office of 'Fowler to the King', the purpose of which was to supply wild-fowl to the King as required. The dwelling which came with the post was called Fowlertoun and the family may have eventually adopted the name. The Fullarton's of Angus had been required by [[Robert I of Scotland|Robert I]] to supply him with wild-fowl at his castle of Forfar.<ref name="millar80"/>

Alanus de Fowlertoun was in possession of the lands shortly before his death in 1280 and the family continued in a nearly unbroken line from father to son. William Fullarton, the builder of the house, inherited the estate from his grandfather in 1710, he having inherited it from his brother in turn. Colonel Fullarton died in 1808, the last Fullarton of that Ilk laird.<ref name="millar80"/> He wrote in 1793 the seminal ''A General View of the Agriculture in the County of Ayr'' and was one of the few on record to praise [[Robert Burns]]'s skills as a farmer, commenting favourably on a method of dishorning cattle which the poet had demonstrated. Burns is said to have visited Fullarton.<ref>Dougall, Charles S. (1911). ''The Burns Country''. London: A & C Black. p. 230.</ref>

===Crosbie Castle===
{{main|Crosbie Castle and the Fullarton estate}}

Robert II granted the old Crosbie estate to the Fullartons in 1344 and by the 18th century the old castle was partly demolished and converted into an ice house for Fullarton House, with a doocot nearby.<ref name="love225">Love, Dane (2003), ''Ayrshire: Discovering a County''. Ayr: Fort Publishing. {{ISBN|0-9544461-1-9}}. p. 225</ref> In 1969 more of the ice house was demolished to make it safe. The building had been known as Crosby Place and later became Fullarton House, not long before the new building of the same name replaced it.<ref name="millar80"/>

Over the centuries the castle was rebuilt three times, in the same typical square design as seen at  Dundonald Castle. The remains today mainly represent the Castle's dungeon. Many of Crosbie Castle's stones were used in the construction of the first Fullarton House. The dungeon, had an underground stream, making it the ideal cold storage cellar or ice house.<ref name="history">[http://www.welcometotroon.uk.com/Nan%20McF%201.htm Troon History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317084730/http://www.welcometotroon.uk.com/Nan%20McF%201.htm |date=17 March 2009 }}. Welcometotroon.uk.com. Retrieved 16 April 2015.</ref>

=== Crosbie church and cemetery ===
[[File:11424 Ruins Pre Reformation-Parish Church-Crosbie Kirk, Troon 009.jpg|thumb|right|The remains of Crosbie Church in the town]]
First recorded in 1229, the present structure dates from 1691. Tradition claims that the roof blew off on the day in 1759 that Robert Burns was born and it was left to become a ruin. One of the graves is that off [[James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh|David Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh]], son of James, alleged assassin of the Regent Moray, bastard son of [[James V]]. This event occurred in 1570 and David died in 1619. David Fullarton of that Ilk had married David's sister.<ref name="love225"/>

Constructed on the site of the original chapel, the name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Crossbye', signifying the dwelling of the cross; a fairly common placename. The cemetery dates from circa 1240 and was held in secular times by Fullarton of Crosbie in the 14th century after being passed on from relatives. Records indicate that this ground was used by a holy order before the Fullartons arrived in the area.<ref name="history"/> The chapelry of Crosbie, together with that of Richardstoun ([[Riccarton, Ayrshire|Riccartoun]]) were attached to Dundonald and were granted by the second Walter Stewart to the short-lived Gilbertine Convent which he had founded at Dalmulin before 1228. The convent was dis-established in 1238 and the chapel passed to the monks of [[Paisley Abbey]].<ref>[[James Paterson (journalist)|Paterson, James]] (1863–66). ''History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton. V. – II – Kyle.'' Edinburgh: J. Stillie. p. 422</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=41724 |num2=NS32SE 4 |desc=Dalmilling |fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The cemetery was the burial ground for Troon until 1862 and family lairs were still in use until after the First World War. On the other side of the road, the remains of the church manse can still be seen (2009). The 'Wrack Road' was the Fullarton Estate estate road used by tenants who took their carts down to the shore to collect seaweed or wrack as fertilizer and it was the main road from Troon for funerals going to Crosbie.<ref name="history"/>

==Politics and governance==
{{main|South Ayrshire Council|Central Ayrshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)}}
[[File:Troon Town Hall (geograph 6009327).jpg|thumb|[[Troon Town Hall]]]]

Troon is part of the [[Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Ayr]] Scottish parliamentary constituency which has been represented by [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) MSP [[Siobhian Brown]] since the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]]. The constituency also incorporates the towns of [[Ayr]] and [[Prestwick]]. At Westminster, Troon has formed part of the [[Central Ayrshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Central Ayrshire]] constituency since 2005. It is represented by [[Scottish Labour]] MP [[Alan Gemmell]]: the constituency extends south into Prestwick and rural South Ayrshire and north into [[Irvine, North Ayrshire|Irvine]] and part of [[Kilwinning]].

'''Councillors serving Troon''' <br/>
Four [[Councillors]] currently represent the [[Troon (ward)|Troon ward]] as part of [[South Ayrshire]] Council:
{| class = "wikitable"
|- 
! style="width:180px;"|'''Councillors'''
! colspan="2" style="width:120px;"|Party
|-
|Kenneth Bell
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Conservative Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Conservative Party]]
|-
|Bob Pollock
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Conservative Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Conservative Party]]
|-
|Craig Mackay
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish National Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish National Party]]
|-
|Phil Saxton
|bgcolor="{{party color|Scottish Labour Party}}" width="5"|
|[[Scottish Labour Party]]
|}

[[Troon Town Hall]], which is the meeting place of Troon Community Council, was completed in 1932.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB42136|desc=South Beach, Town Hall including lamp standards|access-date=15 August 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

On 18 September 2014 a [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum]] was held on [[Scottish independence]] from the United Kingdom. The South Ayrshire Council area voted against Scotland becoming an independent country at 58% No 42% Yes whilst Troon (which was counted with the rest of South Ayrshire) voted overwhelmingly against independence at 65% No 35% Yes.<ref>[http://www.archive.ayradvertiser.com/news/ayr/articles/2014/09/23/510565-ayr-north-and-prestwick-toll-vote-yes- 'Ayr North and Prestwick Toll vote Yes'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526201201/http://www.archive.ayradvertiser.com/news/ayr/articles/2014/09/23/510565-ayr-north-and-prestwick-toll-vote-yes- |date=26 May 2015 }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Troon harbour from north, with P&O Ferry Express.jpg|thumb|Troon harbour seen over the North Sands and Pan Rocks, with [[HSC Express|HSC ''Express'']] at the P&O Ferries terminal, and log storage visible.]]

Troon is home to the [[Royal Troon Golf Club|Royal Troon golf course]], one of the hosts of the [[The Open Championship|Open Golf Championship]]. The course is chosen to host this annual event roughly every seven years. The last time Royal Troon hosted was for the [[2024 Open Championship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The 152nd Open at Royal Troon {{!}} The Open - Golf's Original Major |url=https://www.theopen.com/royal-troon-152nd-open |website=The Open |access-date=26 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

[[SeaCat]] opened passenger services from Troon in 1999, with catamaran ferries to Ireland. They were followed by [[P&O Irish Sea]] in 2003. SeaCat closed the following year. Up until 2015, [[P&O Ferries]] operated seasonal sailings with the high speed catamaran [[HSC Express|HSC ''Express'']]: the term 'SeaCat' is often used to refer to the P&O service. P&O announced on 13 January 2016 that the Troon–Larne service was to close with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35301329 |title=P&O Ferries: Larne to Troon route to close with immediate effect |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2016 |access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> The former SeaCat terminal is currently fenced off and is being used as log storage.

During a period of expansion and renovation work to the ferry terminal at [[Ardrossan]] in [[North Ayrshire]], the ferry terminal at Troon has been used by ferry operator [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] for the [[Brodick]] sailings to the [[Isle of Arran]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ardrossan Harbour Upgrades - Troon Timetable Consultation - FAQs |url=https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/8976/Ardrossan-Harbour-Upgrades---Troon-Timetable-Consultation---FAQs |website=CalMac Ferries |access-date=26 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Arran ferry STILL operating to Troon instead of Ardrossan amid 'defect' at berth |url=https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/24112794.ardrossan-brodick-ferry-diverted-troon-feb-15th/ |website=Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald |access-date=26 April 2024 |language=en |date=12 February 2024}}</ref> In March 2024, Caledonian MacBrayne confirmed plans to trial berthing the vessel ''[[MV Isle of Arran]]'' at Troon Harbour, and if successful, the vessel would commence further trials from sailing from Troon to Brodick.<ref>{{cite web |title=CalMac reiterates support for Arran, Ardrossan and Troon communities |url=https://www.calmac.co.uk/article/9997/CalMac-reiterates-support-for-Arran-Ardrossan-and-Troon-communities |website=CalMac Ferries |access-date=26 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Education==

[[File:Troon Primary School - geograph.org.uk - 1424330.jpg|thumb|right|Troon Primary School, with adjacent Early Years Centre, located in Troon Town Centre]]
[[File:Marr College, 2024.jpg|thumb|right|[[Marr College]] is the only secondary school serving the town and surrounding villages, such as [[Dundonald, South Ayrshire|Dundonald]] and [[Loans]]]] 

Troon has five primary schools. Four (Troon Primary School, Muirhead Primary School, Struthers Primary School and Barassie Primary School) are non-denominational, and one primary school provides Catholic educational provision: St. Patrick's Primary School.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/troonprimary/ |title=Troon Primary School, South Ayrshire |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=17 April 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082655/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/troonprimary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/barassieprimary/ |title=Barassie Primary School |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=29 March 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082636/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/barassieprimary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/struthersprimary/ |title=Struthers Primary School, South Ayrshire |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=10 April 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082624/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/struthersprimary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/muirheadprimary/ |title=Muirhead Primary School, South Ayrshire |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=29 March 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082737/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/muirheadprimary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="south-ayrshire1">{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/stpatricksprimary/ |title=St Patrick's Primary School, South Ayrshire |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=29 March 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082713/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/stpatricksprimary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Early years education is provided with a mix of private establishments and local authority establishments attached to primary schools which are operated by South Ayrshire Council. Troon is served by one secondary school, [[Marr College]], which is operated by South Ayrshire Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/marrcollege/ |title=Marr College, South Ayrshire |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=21 August 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082721/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/marrcollege/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pupils who access Catholic educational provision usually transfer to [[Queen Margaret Academy]] in nearby [[Ayr]] as Troon currently has no separate secondary school that accommodates this provision.<ref name="south-ayrshire1"/>

After school care provision in Troon is again a mix of private establishments and one local authority operated after school care club, which is based in and operated from Muirhead Care Club in the Muirhead area of the town.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/leisure/activity-centres/muirhead/ |title=Muirhead Activity Centre - Leisure Services |publisher=South-ayrshire.gov.uk |date=4 October 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018082621/https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/leisure/activity-centres/muirhead/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Early Years Centres===
====Local authority====
*Troon Early Years Centre
*Barassie Early Years Centre
*Muirhead Early Years Centre
*Struthers Early Years Centre

====Partnership centres====

*Granny Smiths Nursery 
*Meadowgreen Pre-School 
*Marina View Nursery

===Primary schools===

*Troon Primary School
*Barassie Primary School
*Muirhead Primary School
*Struthers Primary School
*St. Patrick's Primary School

===Secondary schools===

*[[Marr College]]

==Sport and culture==
[[File:Royal Troon Golf Club - geograph.org.uk - 6024167.jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal Troon Golf Club]]]]
[[File:David Howell, Open 2004.jpg|thumb|right|The [[2004 Open Championship]] at Royal Troon]] 

Troon is perhaps most famous for its golf courses, but there is also a healthy sporting culture in other disciplines such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitscotland.com/en-ca/info/towns-villages/troon-p242971 |title=Troon Visitor Guide |publisher=VisitScotland |access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> Troon Handball Club is a handball club that is located in Troon. The club was founded in 2008 when Ayrshire Handball Club disbanded into Ayr HC, Belmont HC, Grange HC (formerly Kilmarnock HC), Kyle Academy HC and Troon Handball Club. The club has two senior teams, a men's team and a woman's team, both coached by head coach Stephen Neilson, a former Scottish and British handball player. Both the men and woman's teams compete in the top tier of the [[Scottish Handball Association]] league system. The club also has a thriving junior section that is coached by men's first team player Chris Kerr. The club also works closely with Marr College, the local secondary school, and has been crowned Scottish schools and junior Scottish Cup champions on several occasions.

[[Troon F.C.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://troonfootballclub.co.uk/ |title=Troon FC |work=troonfootballclub.co.uk |date=13 October 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> is the senior football side in the area, representing the town in the [[West of Scotland Football League]], and play at [[Troon F.C.#Ground|Portland Park]], close to the town's heart in Portland Street. The prominent sports team in the village is Troon Dundonald A.F.C.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.troonsporthub.co.uk/troon-dundonald-amateur-football-club.html | title=Troon Amateur Football Clubs,Ayrshire Amateur Football Clubs}}</ref> The club was formed in 1983 by 3 'ageing' players, at which time they were named Troon Burns A.F.C., and have now surpassed their 30th season in the [[Ayrshire Amateur Football Association]]. During this time they have had a few name changes, sometimes due to sponsorship commitments, but in 1998/99 season, they settled on Troon Amateurs Football Club. The club President, Stuart Urquhart, still remains from the original founders of the club and he is as passionate as ever about everything that goes on within the club, as well as with amateur football in general.

In the years since their formation, they have enjoyed three promotions in back to back seasons, 1983-1984 through 1985-1986, which saw them go from the fourth division to the first of Ayrshire's Amateur Leagues, which is one of the largest and toughest amateur leagues in Scotland.

==Notable people==
*[[Margaret Allan (racing driver)|Margaret Allan]], racing driver 
*[[Ronni Ancona]], actress<ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/3648006/Dont-get-the-wrong-impression-about-her.html|title=Don't get the wrong impression about her|access-date=27 September 2013|author=Jasper Rees|date=16 November 2005|quote=Born in 1968, Ancona grew up in Troon.}}</ref> 
*[[Tom Brighton]], footballer<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Mike |title=Marr College old boy Tom Walsh makes Rangers debut |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/marr-college-old-boy-tom-2405344 |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=Daily Record |date=14 December 2012}}</ref>
*[[Gordon Brown (rugby union)|Gordon Brown]], rugby player<ref>{{cite news|title=Game mourns passing of 'Broon from Troon'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/3001289/Game-mourns-passing-of-Broon-from-Troon.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=26 September 2013|author=Brendan Gallagher|date=19 March 2001|quote=Born in Troon on Nov 1 1947, Brown was quickly dubbed `Broon from Troon' once his rugby career got underway.}}</ref> 
*[[George Brown (soccer, born 1935)|George Brown]], professional footballer and businessman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://national.soccerhall.org/famers/george_brown.htm|title=George Brown|publisher=National Soccer Hall of Fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224162724/http://national.soccerhall.org/famers/george_brown.htm |archive-date=24 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
*[[Gordon Burns (footballer)|Gordon Burns]], footballer<ref>{{cite web|title=Burns, Gordon 1998-99|url=http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/BURNS,+Gordon+1998-99|website=The Partick Thistle History Archive|accessdate=21 October 2015|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211130217/http://partickthistleahistory.wikifoundry.com/page/BURNS,+Gordon+1998-99|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Robert Carrick (cricketer)|Robert Carrick]], cricketer
*[[Fiona Caldicott]] (1941-2021),  [[psychiatrist]] and [[psychotherapist]], former [[Principal (college)|Principal]] of [[Somerville College, Oxford]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.some.ox.ac.uk/843-524/all/1/Dame_Fiona_Caldicott.aspx|title=Fellows & staff: Governing Body: Dame Fiona Caldicott|publisher=[[Somerville College, Oxford]] |accessdate=12 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221131058/http://www.some.ox.ac.uk/843-524/all/1/Dame_Fiona_Caldicott.aspx|archivedate=21 December 2014}}</ref> and Chair of the [[Caldicott Report|Caldicott Committee]]
*[[Neill Collins]], footballer<ref>{{Hugman|3852|Neill Collins|access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[Andrew Cotter]], BBC Sports broadcaster<ref>{{cite web|title=Andrew Cotter – Biography|url=http://www.andrewcotter.co.uk/biography/|access-date=5 October 2014|author=Andrew Cotter|quote=Andrew is originally from Troon, in Ayrshire.}}</ref>
*[[George Hunter (footballer, born 1930)|George Hunter]], footballer<ref>{{Hugman|9729|George Hunter|access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[Scott Manley]], science communicator.
*[[Duncan Lunan]], sci-fi writer<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sighthillstonecircle.net/bioofcreator.asp|title=Bio of the Creator of Sighthill Stone Circle|publisher=Friends of the Sighthill Stone Circle|year=2011|accessdate=21 March 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130222021435/http://www.sighthillstonecircle.net/bioofcreator.asp|archivedate=22 February 2013}}</ref>
*[[Thomas O'Ware]], footballer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://troonfootballclub.co.uk/troon-appoint-thomas-oware/|title=Thomas O'Ware|date=31 August 2020 |publisher=Troon Football Club|access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[Rory McKenzie]], footballer based at Kilmarnock Football Club.
*[[Dick McTaggart]], boxer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/14390139.a-golden-occasion-for-olympic-champ/|title=A golden occasion for Olympic champ|date=29 March 2016|newspaper=Ayr Advertiser| access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[John M. Mason (musician)|John Mason]], (now deceased) co-founder, musical director, and conductor of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra
*[https://waddellandmackintosh.co.uk/personnel.php Rognvald Mason], son of John Mason (musician), solicitor, and a founding member of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra from its creation in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wigtown Book Festival {{!}} Taking a Bow with the Scottish Fiddle… |url=https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/blog/taking-a-bow-with-the-scottish-fiddle-orchestra |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Wigtown Book Festival |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Colin Montgomerie]], golfer<ref>{{cite news|title=Scene set for Montgomerie|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/theopen/2382856/Scene-set-for-Montgomerie.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=26 September 2013|author=Lewine Mair|date=13 July 2004|quote=They have known Montgomerie at Troon since those days when he would play on the children's course next to Troon Portland and within earshot of its lady members. Though the family moved south when Montgomerie was eight, they returned when James Montgomerie became the secretary at Royal Troon and Colin was in his early twenties.}}</ref> 
*[[Jamie Ness]], footballer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/sport/20227364.ex-rangers-midfielder-jamie-ness-retires-football-aged-31/|title=Ex-Rangers midfielder Jamie Ness retires from football aged 31|date=22 June 2022|newspaper=Ayr Advertiser| access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[Steve Nicol]], footballer<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/articles/2005/06/18/nicol_still_a_vital_element/ |title=Nicol still a vital element: Revolution benefit from great Scot's life lessons |website=boston.com |date=18 June 2005 }}</ref>
*[[D'Arcy Rae]], rugby player<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/glasgow-warriors/player/darcy-rae |title=D'Arcy Rae |publisher=Glasgow Warriors |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706010432/http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/glasgow-warriors/player/darcy-rae |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Bill Thomson (ice hockey)|Bill Thomson]], right winger for the [[Detroit Red Wings]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=5492|title=Detroit Red Wings all-time player list|publisher=Hockey DB|access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>
*[[Brian Whittle]], athlete<ref>{{cite web|title=Legendary athlete Brian Whittle happy to help daughter follow his example|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/health-fitness/legendary-athlete-brian-whittle-happy-1030958|work=Daily Record|access-date=26 September 2013|author=Joan McFadden|date=14 July 2009|quote=Growing up in Troon, Brian had the opportunity to try a wide range of sports, all of which he loved.}}</ref>
*[[Susannah York]], actress<ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8262228/Susannah-York.html|title=Susannah York|access-date=27 September 2013|date=16 January 2001|quote=Susannah attended Marr College in Troon}}</ref>

== Twin towns - sister cities ==
Troon is [[sister city|twinned]] with  [[Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Nouvelle-Aquitaine]], France.

==See also==
* [[Laigh Milton viaduct]]—the Kilmarnock and Troon railway or tramway
* [[WinterStorm]] - an annual classic rock music festival held in [[Troon Town Hall]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* Blair, Anna (1983). ''Tales of Ayrshire''. London: Shepheard-Walwyn. {{ISBN|0-85683-068-2}}.
* MacIntosh, I. M. (1969). ''Old Troon''.
* McPherson, I. (2000). ''Old Troon''.
* Wylie, Stewart C., and Wilson, James (1991). ''Troon in Old Picture Postcards''.

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Troon}}
{{Commons category|Troon, South Ayrshire|Troon}}
* [http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/ South Ayrshire Council]

{{South Ayrshire}}
{{Associated British Ports}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Scotland}}

[[Category:Troon| ]]
[[Category:Firth of Clyde]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Scotland]]
[[Category:Towns in South Ayrshire]]